They were not fully restored yet, but I could see their beautiful features finally emerging from their once skeletal forms. They looked gaunt, but they had flesh upon their bones.
“Vlad, Vlad,” Cneajna called out to him, and held out her hands to him in sad desperation.
Taking hold of my hand, he moved toward the entrance way. There was not much left of the man who had attempted to rob us. He was a dry husk. I stepped over him as we entered the castle and the torches on the walls sprang to life. The Brides cooed and whispered softly to Vlad as they crawled to him, supplicating.
Vlad stood over them, cold and imperious. They pawed at his legs and kissed his hand. Their eyes gazed up at him with desperate yearning. Only Cneajna held back, her head bowed low as she knelt before him.
“Forgive us, forgive us,” the two dark haired Brides whispered.
Vlad drew his hand away from them. “Go feed. I cannot stand the sight of you. ”
The two women moaned in despair at his words and sank away from him. Cneajna looked upon us, her gaze imploring.
“Vlad, forgive us if we displeased you,” she whispered, tears in her eyes.
“Go, feed! Now! I cannot stand the sight of you!” Vlad ordered in a harsh voice. He continued to hold onto my hand, keeping me firmly at his side.
Cneajna rose to her feet, her once glorious gown now a ruin of rags. Her face was pinched and her full lips pale. She nodded slowly and took hold of the other two women. Drawing them with her, the three women glided out into the night. With one last look cast over her shoulder, Cneajna disappeared.
Alone, hand in hand, Vlad and I stood in the foyer of the decrepit castle. My gaze swept over the great hall with despair and I felt my throat tighten. The last time I had entered this castle as a visitor, my family had been alive and I had been mortal.
“We shall only be here for a short time,” Vlad assured me. “As soon as your brother has done as he promised, we shall depart for England. ”
I nodded slowly. “Very well. ”
Vlad released my hand. “I will have Ilona prepare a chamber for you. You will no longer be in the Brides chambers. ”
“They will know then,” I answered swiftly.
Vlad nodded. “Yes, they will. ”
I tried to speak, but could not find words. He gazed at me long and hard, then walked on into the depths of the castle.
I closed my eyes, feeling a terrible sense of dread fill me.
Ilona prepared the chamber I had first slept in as a mortal. I found it a cruel irony, but did not dare complain. Vlad had been far too kind to me lately and I feared a return to his violent ways. Already he looked like the warrior of old, so I felt I must tread carefully.
Ilona had some of the other women bring in the finest tapestries and bed clothes from other rooms. The best of the candlesticks and other decorations were brought in as well. Soon the room did not seem quite as bare and terrible. My trunks arrived and the women immediately began to unpack them. Ilona seemed especially careful around me, obviously afraid of my new position in the household.
As they worked, I changed into a pale blue dress and fixed my hair. Tiny red tendrils fell around my brow and ears and I felt a little more relaxed in my modern attire.
“So many fine things,” Ilona dared to say t
o me. “He must love you very much. ”
I waved my hand at her dismissively and sat at the mirrorless vanity. With a sigh, I arranged my perfumes and powders.
Her presence pricked at me before I saw her in the doorway. Restored to her full beauty, Cneajna stood just outside my room. Her golden hair fell around her voluptuous form. A beautiful silky gossamer gown fell to her bare feet and her limbs were encircled by fine exotic jewelry.
“What is this?” she asked in a low voice.
I put a smile on my face as I rose to my feet. “Cneajna, it is so good to see you!” I went to her, my arms outstretched to embrace her.
“What is this?” she said again in a low voice. Her sapphire-colored eyes looked sharply at me.
I faltered as slowly my arms dropped to my sides. “Vlad gave me my own chamber,” I confessed in an embarrassed tone.
Cneajna stepped into the room and brushed past me. She smelled delicious and warm, and I wanted to embrace her. Her power was cold and fierce as it pushed me away from her.